‘ And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.’ There were two Bethlehems, one in the tribe of Zebulun, (Joshua 9:15) and another in the tribe of Judah. We do not know which one it was although, as Bethlehem in Judah is called ‘Bethlehem-judah’ elsewhere (Judges 17:7-9; Judges 19:1-2; Judges 19:18), it was probably in Zebulun. read more
Judges 12:9 a ‘And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons.’ This was a sign of his prestige and wealth. It would appear that he was polygamous but encouraged his sons to be monogamous. His family gave him wide influence, for his daughters no doubt made influential matches, cementing alliances with important families and clans, and he would marry his sons well with the same idea in mind. ‘Thirty’ is probably a round... read more
‘ And after him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years.’ These judges remind us that judges were needed in times of peace as well as in war. They are mentioned to make up the twelve. It may well be that little was known of them but their names. ‘Ten years.’ Possibly indicating ‘a number of years’, and a satisfactory judgeship. read more
‘ And Elon the Zebulunite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.’ Each was accorded honours in burial because of their faithful service. They had this in common, that they judged well and faithfully. read more
‘ And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, the Pirathonite, judged Israel.’ “The Pirathonite.” So called from Pirathon, where he was born, and which was in the tribe of Ephraim, as appears from Judges 12:15. It was also later the home of Benaiah, David’s captain (2 Samuel 23:30). read more
Judges 12:14 a ‘And he had forty sons, and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy ass colts.’ He had an abundant family, described in this way to bring to the number seventy, divine perfection intensified. Compare Gideon (Judges 8:30). The fact that they rode on ass colts demonstrates that they exercised authority. Judges 12:14 b ‘And he judged Israel eight years.’ He clearly began to judge while quite old to have so many grandsons. These judges may have been partly contemporary. He too had the... read more
Judges 12:8-Ezra : . The Three Minor Judges.— Ibzan’ s home was probably Bethlehem in Zebulun ( Joshua 19:15), 7 m. from Nazareth, still called Beit-lahm. For Aijalon we should probably read Elon (so the LXX). Pirathon is perhaps Far’ ata, near Nâ blû s. read more
In one of the cities, Heb. in the cities; the plural number put for the singular, as Genesis 19:29, where Lot is said to dwell in the cities, i.e. one of the cities; and 1 Samuel 18:21, the twain is put for one of the twain; and Judges 18:11, houses for house; and Jonah 1:5, the sides for one of the sides. read more
Of Beth-lehem; either that in Judah, of which Matthew 2:6; or that in Zebulun, Joshua 19:15. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 12:7
‘ And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.’ Jephthah ‘judged Israel’ for six years. That is was responsible for acting as God’s representative over a part of Israel for six years. All who judged a part of Israel were seen as ‘judging Israel’. He may have died from wounds, or disease, for his life was short. And he never received acceptance by his family for there was no room for him in the family grave. He was buried... read more